First Nations and the Foundations of Democracy

Introduction

Democracy is a principal of governance. Democracy is as old as man and his quest to answer his needs in a community: the need to control his own affairs, and also the need to effectively toil with other people.

Every living thing is made up of cells: there are two kinds of cells, the eukaryote cell and the prokaryote cell. The eukaryote cell has a distinct nucleus and organelles. The nucleus is the central headquarters that controls every function in the cell. The organelles are autonomous parts that have and do different jobs. Cell efficiency, heavily, relies on the nucleus and the organelles to work together. Now, the prokaryote cell, on the other hand, has no distinct nucleus and organelles. Conversely, the prokaryote is not as efficient because it lacks an internal structure. To have optimum ability there has to be structure and autonomy in the cell, but there also has to be cooperation in the cell. We are made up of eukaryote cell, if our cells, the basis of life, need these certain principals to work effectively: then how far are we, as people, from needing the same principals to reach maximum efficiency in a community.

But to study democracy, one does not have to go to that extreme; therefore, we will be examining societies and men.

It is innate for men to be autonomous; it is innate for people to be structured, and last of all and most importantly, people need to work together; to moreover reach the greatest effectiveness in a community. Working together sounds ideological, because it seems, often, hard at times to accomplish. Maybe, part of the answer lies in autonomy. When people are comfortable with being autonomous they may have an easier time working together. It’s not about domination, but respecting the autonomy of others.

Democracy, “the endless striving for liberty, for justice, and for power, that has been the history of peoples everywhere and in all times. It is a struggle as ancient as human will, reflecting our wish to master our own immediate world, to be free of tyranny from without and within.” Autonomous as defined by Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary states, “having the right or power of self-government: undertaken or carried on without outside control: SELF-CONTAINED”. Liberty lies in autonomy. A natural struggle often occurs, which is the need to be free….it becomes immanent as we pursue our immediate happiness.

We will be looking at how different societies sought to deal with this ever-present problem of community living. The concepts of democracy, which are basically communal principles, are equally important when one wants to fully comprehend the essence of democracy. Therefore it is equally important to look at some of the early developments and basic principles.

Greek: Early Principles

The “Greek tribes wrested control of their cities from the rule of kings and blood clans and set up the foundations of communities to govern themselves”. Two things occurred; one was getting away from tribal and blood clan mentality and structure, which in essence lay in the need to depart from hereditary rule. The people wanted more than clan and tribal systems. Moreover, these systems were basically hierarchical and caused tyranny and discontent: and the discontent was more than often attributed to the oppression of being dominated. Now, fundamentally the power of a few could be dispersed back to the people and liberty could have a new beginning. The clan and tribe systems kept the people in factions; moreover, it was not going to work, because the number of people grew. So some alternative was needed to progress and to keep the community functioning.

The Greeks called it politeia and the Romans a republica (public affairs) or republic, hence, the development of constitutions. It is said that “Aristotle catalogued some 150 constitutions” , and he also noticed (that) some limits were set on the rulers. Some practices at the time were: - Citizens participated in passing legislation, without having (only) representatives act on their behalf. - Citizen juries (were used): where justice was the responsibility of the people. - Appointment by lot to political offices - Citizen soldiers - The device of ostracism where people could be exiled.

The governance of citizens was enacted and Democracy- the kratos, or rule of the demos, the people, was born. But the life of democracy was very short: it seemed to be an anomaly; people were unable to continue in this system, as the economy came to be dependent on other people outside the community. Self-sufficiency was undermined. Moreover, people from the other societies who would eventually come in, and had different views. Aristocracy and monarchy appears to have been the chief governing methods in many of these other societies.

Greece was growing and it was harder to keep the democratic principles working, erosion occurred at every turn. The Athenians, Plato and Socrates did not like democracy, even though it was practiced in their society. With the Macedonians coming in and wanting the prize of this vast empire, things started to change. Democracy stood on its last legs, but there existed a silver lining: the legacy of free institutions was recognized, and there was also the uncovering of the secrets to liberty, which in essence lay in government by the people. These truths would ultimately lie covered for centuries.

Uncovering Democracy

It would not be until the Muslims uncovered the ancient Greek texts, that Greek ideas would once again come to the forefront. While the Abbasids, a Muslim group, held power from 750 A.D. until 1258 A.D., it would be during this time that an interest would be aroused in the ancients. “Muslims philosophers were highly interested in Aristotelian and Neo-Platonic thought”. But the political thought was not as important as was the religious aspect to the Muslims. Europe at the time was in the dark ages.

Not until the “Enlightenment” period would the ideas fully resurrect and begin to cause a stir and excitement. It would begin throughout Europe and would culminate in France.

French Revolution

Enlightenment, the age of reason spread throughout Europe. As the new world was giving up her riches, “The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.” Countries flourished in the old world. Changes swept the European land, unrest and excitement was the order of the day. The time of revolt had arrived. Revolution was no longer subversive; men like Francois-Noel Babeuf and Philippe-Antoine Merlin would come to the vanguard. It was the rural discontent against excessively burdensome taxation that would be the beginnings of reexamination of the seigniorial rights and privileges. “The Revolution was not just popular ferment; it was also the attempt at reconstructing central authority upon new institutional foundations.” The economy of France included the Bourgeoisie buying government offices. (Bribes were common) Little of those attained riches went to development of the country and was exclusively spent on personal interests. With a waning economy and the burden of four taxes, unrest began with those most affected, the rabble (lowly). A constitution was in the making to subvert the violence of the peasants. The peasants felt that they may be left out of the consultations at the expense of the upper classes, and that a plan was being devised to defeat the will of the people. To quell the violence an “Assembly decreed the abolition of the feudal system and the privileges of persons, towns and provinces: it also proclaimed equality before the law and the suppression of tithes.” On the other hand, the constitution’s main emphasis was on freedom. Equality was affirmed in the court and the law, and that all government positions were open to all. Article 3, stated “sovereignty resides in the nation.” Moreover, Sovereignty was deemed indivisible and so the classes were abolished. “The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen”, (the constitution) became the dogma of the Revolution, the catechism of freedom and equality”.

“The society of the old regime was built upon hierarchy and privilege, which is to say upon inequality.” It was the first article that proclaimed equality in the new constitution. By far the biggest achievement was “the opportunity for all Frenchmen to be appointed to any position in the state.” The developments in France received ovation from other countries. But, in fact, revolution was happening not only in Europe but also in the place where the greatest developments would occur.

American Revolution

Across the great divide, at the same time another revolution was taking place. Britain was in conflict with its colonies: the old problem of taxation had arisen once again. This time the end result would be the formation of a new nation.

Citizens would eventually assemble in the new country and a constitution would have to be devised. “ Until that time, the only real democracy in America was practiced by the century old Iroquois Confederacy, whose unwritten constitution did guarantee equal political rights to men and women.” It would be the principals of the Iroquois that would give the needed direction for developments to the newly formed constitution. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was at its starting point, but not until the Battle of Yorktown in 1781 did it progress further. It culminated in 1789, a total of 13 years, the 55 citizens working on the constitution looked far and wide. Thomas Jefferson looked to the French model. Benjamin Franklin looked to the Iroquois. “Throughout the eighteenth century, the republican and democratic principles that lay at the heart of the Five Nations’ system of self-government had been included among the studies of the philosophers of Europe and America who were seeking a more just and humane way for men to be governed.”

The Iroquois, a confederacy made up of five tribes, had the making of something remarkable. Something that was unattainable to the mighty intellectuals of Greece. France would freeze in its tracks; development only went so far, because it only replaced one system of rule for another. The Americans would prove to be equal to none. “The Founding fathers were concerned over the possibility that the new nation like the ancient empire of Rome, could simply expand beyond its ability to administer national institutions. The best adaptation the Americans could make became our current arrangement between states and the federal government, but it has not worked nearly as well as the Six Nation’s procedures, which also recognized clans as an important element in holding the national fabric together.”

The “Great Law of Peace” an agreement between five Iroquois tribes was originally a peace treaty. The founding fathers of the constitution took a deep interest in the native governance, so deep that it would influence the Declaration of Independence. Freedom and liberty was a part of the native society that astounded the Europeans. Before that freedom was only a concept, now it was a reality played out before European eyes. War was intense in the new land prior to the coming of the Europeans. Peace would eventually come to the fractionated region and with it would begin a system of equality, which would reverberate throughout the world and across generations.

The process of the treaties was a common practice: Daniel Usner, Professor of history at Cornell University, had this to say, “The Iroquois most influenced the Constitution in the treaty-making context. There was a tradition of North American Indians making treaties with one another. Many of the cultural traditions that went into the protocol of those treaties were adopted by the governors and officials within the English and French and Spanish colonies of North America.” The treaties, the ideas of freedom permeated European thought. “Both the French and American revolutions were advanced, in part, because colonists had seen, in Indian forms of government, how the democratic structure functioned when people elected leaders who debated issues in public forums.”

The Great Law of Peace, promoted strong individualism as a group and at the same time promoting equality of all groups; the groups were autonomous, but yet, they were a piece of the larger picture. The people elected the leaders and therefore having representation: more specifically, it was the clan-mothers who were the electors. Equality in their society proved itself by including women. Audrey Shenandoah, a clan mother of the Onondaga Nation, had this to say, “Within our society we maintain a balance between the responsibilities of the women, the responsibilities of the men, of the chief, of the faith keepers. All the people in between have a special job to do to help to keep the balance so that at no time do we come to a place within our society where anyone has more power than any of the rest, for our leadership all have equal power.” The freedom that comes from equality was a chief factor in initiating the women’s liberation movement. Sally Roesch Wagner was diligently searching where “Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Joslyn Gage got their utopian ideas regarding sexual equality and transformation of the patriarchal society in which they lived.”

Both lived in Upstate New York and were influenced by the matrilineal structure of Iroquois.

The issue, that the Iroquois influenced American society, was presented in a 1952 essay entitled, “Americanizing the White Man” by Felix Cohen. In it he wrote, “…it is out of a rich Indian democratic tradition that the distinctive political ideals of American life emerged. Universal suffrage for women as well as for men, the pattern of states within a state that we call federalism, the habit of treating chiefs as servants of the people instead of their masters, the insistence that the community must respect the diversity of men and the diversity of their dreams-all these things were part of the American way of life before Columbus landed.”

The French were the first to be deeply influenced by the Indians. It would be their close interactions such as the intermarriages and the gift giving ceremonies that would affect them. With such a strong culture it is easy to ascertain that the Europeans would eventually assimilate. Olive Dickason in her book is quick to point out the differences in both cultures. “ The King of France spent a good deal of time and energy, not to mention money, maintaining alliances with these people whose ideas of equality and individual freedom he would not of tolerated for an instant in his own subjects.” The strong penchant of freedom and equality incited European discontent. The embers of discontent were fanned by winds from a far away country. Indians did not have to revolt to find liberty, because they enjoyed the fruits of their labour/system, they found a greater liberty in peace.

Canasatego, the Onondaga sachem, admonished, “Our wise forefathers established union and amity between the Five Nations. This has made us formidable. This has given us great weight and authority with our neighboring nations. We are a powerful confederacy, and by your observing the same methods our wise forefathers have taken you will acquire much strength and power; therefore, whatever befalls you, do not fall out with one another.”

The Constitution was in the making, the citizens had assembled, the ideas were settled and the 55 citizens lay down their thoughts: among them, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine and John Ruteldge. Benjamin Franklin used the Iroquois’ ideas to from the Albany Plan of Union in 1754. “Franklin thought the ways of American Indians more conductive to the good life than the ways of “ Civilized Nations.”” “Thomas Paine was a secretary to an Iroquois Treaty at Easton, Pennsylvania in early 1777. It appears Paine heard an Iroquois prophecy about struggling beasts that would shake the foundations of the League of the Iroquois. In the end, lesser beasts would win and take up the ideas of the Iroquois.” A pamphlet detailed the prophecy, “It said that the American people had assimilated Iroquois ideas and that, therefore, the victory of the American people would be a victory for humanity because the American people inherited the ideas of the Iroquois.” Finally John Rutledge, he would write the first draft. When the final draft was being read He is said to have read from the Great Law of the Iroquois. The “constitution was made and foundations were laid down.

The “two major influences on the United States Constitution (being) the European Enlightenment and the political system of the Iroquois Confederacy.”

Conclusion

Democracy has been a powerful tool in the cause of liberty and justice. The Iroquois gave sovereignty to individuals and that appears to be the answer to the age-old question of making democracy work. But one must not forget the underlying need for high morals. As the Great Law of peace was for that very reason: to make life better for the Iroquois, after years of factions and war. The Peacemaker, a prophet, set out to establish peace under the natural laws of the universe. He first argued that “ the Maker of Life (or Great Creator) could not of intended that humans would kill one another…The Peacemaker said that humans have the gift of intelligence…The purpose of human political organization, The Peacemaker argued, must be to oppose violence. This, he said, can be accomplished when men of healthy minds and bodies unite to create a just world…The Peacemaker proposed that a council be formed to provide a forum in which violence would henceforth be replaced with thinking, and disputes would be settled with words.”

Sovereignty had different meanings to both the Iroquois and the Europeans. To Europeans a sovereign is a person of supreme power and authority. The reference was to a supreme being in the universe, they owned everything all the persons and property. In feudalism “the idea of rights or appeals against powers of the state as manifested in the whims of the individual lords of the manor simply did not exist as a remedy for the peasant.” Now on the other hand, the Iroquois believed, “Within the structure (of the United Nations) confederate nations enjoy internal sovereignty…” This was further enhanced by giving a voice to individuals, “…every individual had a right to voice an opinion and to agree or disagree on actions to be taken.” It should then be apparent that many of the concepts of the Iroquois Confederacy existed in the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Bruce Johansen posed the question of the size of Philadelphia in 1776. “They were small islands in a sea of American Indian Confederacies. They traded they conducted diplomacy, they interacted socially, day by day, and they couldn’t help but be shaped by what was happening in this land.” Democracy may be poignant about equality and liberty, but the Indians derivative of these concepts came by way of peace and thus revolution was unnecessary.

The power of both constitutions lay in the strong morals of the people. There was the concept of putting the lowly in a position that was equal to everyone; the idea that all people were the same and deserved the same rights; the idea that leaders were servants of the people, women’s suffrage, and the importance of matricidal lines. The power and concept of equality, which the Indians practiced, would create an institution that transcended the bounds of human prejudices. Franklin poised a satirical question, “it would be a very strange thing if six nations of ignorant savages should be able to form a scheme for such a union and be able to execute it in such a manner as it has subsisted for ages and appears indissoluble and yet a like union should be impracticable for ten or a dozen English colonies.” Somehow these ignorant savages would have a lasting system of governance, and the essence being the moral structure.

Such high ideals go beyond savagery, and become the firm foundation on which civilizations are built. Recognizing the rights of individuals are the unalienable rights of all people, and only when they are recognized do we really progress as a community.

Biographical List

Barreiro, Jose, Indian Roots of American Democracy, Cornell: Northeast Indian Quarterly, 1988

Dickason, Olive Patricia, Canada’s First Nations, Ontario: Oxford University Press, 2002

Fisher, Mary Pat, Living Religions, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 2002

Godechot, Jacques, France and the Atlantic Revolution of the Eighteen Century, 1770-1799, New York: The Free Press, 1965

Johansen, Bruce E., Debating Democracy Native American Legacy of Freedom, New Mexico: Clear Light Publishers, 1998

Lyons, Oren & John Mohawk, Exiled in the Land of the Free, Santa Fe: Clear Light Publishers, 1992

Watson, Patrick & Benjamin Barber, The Struggle for Democracy, Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys Ltd., 1988

A Spiritual Nation

Introduction

I am so disappointed, that of all things in a land of peace there is so much adversity. For some reason we can’t get closer to an answer. The great divide is pulling further apart. But for a country rich in a spiritual foundation we can’t seem to look to Him who transcends space and time (we give our highly exalted platitudes that we are so spiritual, but can’t seem to act in a right way)….God/the Creator has something for us...but we need to seek him. If there is anything we know that…

“God is love, and He is good all the time.”

It further astounds me that so few people ever think as God as an important subject, even though He is an integral part of our lives whether we acknowledge that or not. Religion or matters of God come in all forms yet if a person is diligent he can find his way through everything, and actually meet God who delights in us individually. Having said that, I would like to post more on the subject of God as He pertains to us as native people. Now you can say that I have it all, who needs more of God… but that does not take into account the Christian perspective. In fact if anything such a perspective (Christian) gets quickly discounted and that seems conventional (in particular to native people). So really writing from a non-conventional perspective has to at least enlighten. What else can you do…clearly we can still get something out of any exposition where ignorance and resistance exists. But of course that is for those who are willing and brave enough to go beyond conventional standards and wisdom.

Something else….with all political correctness aside, I think we know who we are talking about when we use the term native and non-native....so I ask that you will give yourself an intellectual stretch as I go on; like I said, I think we know who we are talking about and I don’t have to make that an issue. People like to criticize before you even leave the shoots, yet if anything it requires patience and above all things to hear things out. It may mean crossing the lines of our own bigotry.

For those of you who followed my last post, here is a piece that tries to pull it all together. How did we (natives and non-natives) end up so divided in this country, and how do we come together and try to reconcile this relationship. Truth be known....few people actually care, however I would go as far as saying that it’s a question that certainly has relevant and future implications. Either way, what we do or choose will be evident with how this circumstance ends up. The facts are, there is great animosity from the native side, and there is indifference and domination from the non-native side *(Important Point) …but it’s these very walls that need to be attended to. I know that we have different people with different positions on these matters. And regardless of what we propose some will hold ardently to their dogmas and not want to go beyond how things presently are. But….at least we can offer an alternative, in the web of information that is out there, especially for those willing to look and seek.

Firstly, I know that not all natives are so passionately against non-natives. But unfortunately (native) politics today is keeping and making it a hard-nosed position, when much of everything we do is related to how natives feel about white people; as a result natives are fighting their own fast flowing stream (at least those who have decided to go against any antagonism that is set up towards non-natives; if anything some people moreover want to see peace and freedom from all this flowing animosity). The politics we are presently engaged in is a movement that goes against everything non-native; to the point that it has even become a pathology (deep sickness), to some. We all have anger, frustration within our lives as native people, but we need to rise above that to ultimately progress. Fighting and anger is an end in itself, and we need more as people. We need something beyond the stigma and entanglements of raw emotion.

I really believe that this is a big issue that keeps us defeated. As long as nothing gets done from the non-native side, our anger can be used against us. We are the enemy after that, so it (our anger) can always be used against us. We need to eliminate any advantage over our pain and anger.

Now conversely, or on the other hand, not all non-natives are working to undermine natives, nor are they all sworn enemies. But like any issue of contention, we need to see things in black and white. Doing so gives us a place to begin, so we can iron out the basics of the present position and argument; we may need to stretch the truth momentarily...we will thus need to generalize.

Essentially it is all about the antagonist in our relationship (the native and non-native relationship). Moreover, if you aint an angry Indian, hear me out… as this could quite possibly be what we need to overcome with this growing antagonism. If all we have are deniers (who say, there is no fight, no antagonism whatsoever)… and often the deniers take offence and assert that we are not all fighting; but the reality is, the antagonism is a big issue, conflict is most certainly in our (native) lives in this country.

And then there is, politically motivated people (who constantly are making it a fight of sides, the key word being fight)….The reality is if you allow both positions (deniers and politically motivated people) to rule our circumstance, it will essentially leave us entrenched in the issues. Not to mention that being indifferent and angry also keeps us lodged in issues that we moreover need to be overcoming.

If you haven’t noticed that antagonism (between natives and non-natives) is rising (but if you can’t see it, suffice to say, in that case there clearly is an element of delusion and denial being manifested). Natives and non-natives seem to be heading towards further conflict, and if you care about your home, family, people (country for that matter) it should most certainly be of a concern to you.

Mind you some people are seeking peace, and therefore trying to hold their own peace. When the reality is, this is a time to do more than nothing.

Going on…Equally and sadly as the crowds gather, the greedy for power see this as an opportunity. Politics is ready to sway the masses. There is no time greater, and more dangerous, than this time where essentially we need to bring forward the truth! We need ears and we need truth to ring in those ears!

Let me say more....I know we have our position but we need more than an individual position, especially at this particular point in time. There is something at work; as people cry out for solutions, and stagger under the oppression of our (native)struggles in this country (however let’s make one thing clear, there appears to be only one side that staggers the most). And even those that struggle, it further still lies with those who care enough to go beyond just personal interests. People can live their lives, but we need more than that. Some native people don’t understand the weight that exists, as their interests are diverted by the world…and the truth is the people who don’t get it are more detrimental to our overall struggles. It takes an elaboration of the positions, to know what we are faced with. If a fight or struggle has no way out (and that could come by being ignorant and angry), the weight of oppression can get overwhelming. Many people abandon the fight just based on that fact alone, and that is that it is too arduous, burdensome and disappointing.

I guess that’s what makes us individuals; for some natives, the struggle is all too real, while others are content with how things are or some have chosen not to deal with things. The struggle and issues are complex and the people, their opinions and attitudes vary immensely. But we have to seek for solutions. We certainly have to do something despite people’s varying opinions and positions.

Native issues have little to no development, so what we do come up with is often new. And sometimes it’s the complex things that will make you see the simple things. It’s not the material presented, but how that material presented makes you see more and want more...as this is really important in any exposition.

Unfortunately politics and anger is knocking at our door, we can be overcome by these things or shoot for something alternative or unconventional.

It is my hope that this will be an exercise in making a way for the oppressed, at least for those carrying the weight of our troubles….lastly and certainly not the least, may this be for those who want more than just conflict.

But before all that, I want to thank those who are willing to take the time to hear things out and I hope you will be greatly blessed, may we come to a new freedom and strength as people.

“The truth will set you free.”



Treaties

What is working? And what could possibly be in the making?

The foundation on which this country was made…is the treaties. We have not, dare I say, matured to being actual treaty people. We have faltered, but still have the opportunity to be more than what we presently are. We think about how this country was formed, “Whereas Canada is founded upon the principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law...” As well, the treaties were done with sacredness, in particular from the native side. Even though some pomp was added, it (treaties) were given little credence from the non-native side. In fact when the treaties were being done, there was a silence in the east. (more later)

But this is the thing, God honours treaties between people. Yes, “supreme God” honours treaties between people: If we looked at the foundations of the country, when it comes to God and the rule of law: God is above, yes, even above the rule of law or the law of the land.

If God is above us all, then we need to know what is honoured. Brotherhood is a principle of peace. Brotherhood is important to this country. Treaties are a prime example.

A quick story from the bible; Joshua was taking the territory that God had given to him and his people. But there was one nation who decided to deceive. They acted like they were poor, destitute people from a distant place and they wanted to make peace with Joshua rather than be driven from the land. Joshua did make a treaty of peace. Even though the treaty was deceptive, Joshua carried out the promises. “We have sworn to them by the Lord, God of Israel, so now we may not touch them. This we will do to them: we will let them live, lest the wrath be upon us because of the oath we swore to them.” (see Joshua 9: 19,20)

Treaties are agreements that need to be honoured. They are the foundation of peace. The point I wanted to bring out in using the biblical story was that, deception does not negate a treaty.

In fact, even using God as part of understanding the treaties is and should not be problematic...simply because all parties in Canada’s treaties have God as an important aspect when it comes to the foundations of their life. There is no disconnecting God from how Canada came to be.

It’s not just treaty but the relationship of natives and non-natives that have a great significance. And so the treaties have to mean more than just lip service.

But historically the treaties, according to some, were just something that needed to be done.

Here is an interesting and informative quote on the treaties in the book “Seeing Red.” “In a sense Treaty 3 was barely a news story at all: the Globe signed off in fifty-six words – among them that "the terms are very liberal to the Indians,” whereas the Gazette simply declined to notice it. In late September the Globe made passing mention of the likelihood that its signing would be postponed by ten days because of the intransigence of an Ojibwe leader who lead a group of “obstinate” "polemical” and “crafty” Natives, and then in late October the Globe printed excerpts of the treaty, advising readers that the shiftless Aboriginals might now be effectively "quieted" by white Canada. After that the Globe remained quiet on the treaty. Natives, however, did not escape substantive notice in either paper. In fact both publications had much to say about them-ultimately leading to the conclusion that the lack of interest in the treaty as news reflected a “thick” sense that the treaties were minor incidents in the larger narrative of triumphal Anglo conquest. Still on one occasion in July, the Globe reported that natives on the Prairies, with the exception of the Blackfoot, were “anxious” to strike treaties, though it gave no indication why. In order to effect treaties, the paper counselled, the government must be prepared to bribe the childlike Natives with baubles and cheap trinkets such as beads. “First the Indians must have presents,” the Gazette explained. In no case did the Globe and Gazette promote physical genocide. This was unnecessary because in the publications asserted that homogeneous Native culture along with its practitioners, would shortly fade away and die out.” (Anderson,44)

Now concerning the sacredness with which the native people approached the treaties. The use of the pipe was the essence of this sacredness. I might add this quote, “It is an Indian custom to conduct those formalities before undertaking any matters of importance. The purpose of this tradition is that the Indians have utmost and absolute belief in the sacredness of the pipe. In the presence of the pipe, only the truth must be used and any commitment made in its presence must be kept. In that sense, then, the only means used by Indians to finalize a agreement or to ensure a final commitment was by use of the pipe.” (Talbot,104)

From one side you had a disregard for the treaties and from the other side the proceedings were sacrosanct. And of course there are arguments from both sides, but the main thing is they both went into an agreement. The real important thing is that it was an exercise in brotherhood.

God is a very important element, as any agreement between people is sacred in itself.

Moreover one side wanted to undermine the importance of the agreement and the other wanted it to be overly sacred!

What needs to be done? How do you strengthen this relationship that comes from a covenant between nations? And, even though it was approached differently from both sides.

Now let us look at “sacred”.... The word “sacred” can be defined in one word “Holy!” The bible, God’s word, testifies of the fact that of all things, God is “Holy.” Cherubs and Seraphim cry day and night, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!” For native people who espouse and use the word broadly and liberally, the bible should be food to them. Clearly they would never make fun of the bible if they understood that it contained a “Holy” and sacred God! And maybe that’s what needs to happen today, a deeper understanding has to occur. A revelation of God being Holy, is what we all need to grasp.

But today, we are not ignorant; we can learn things we never knew. Fortunately for us, our past ignorance can even be overlooked.

Again talking about God, should be a non-taxing exercise. Since we all, in particular in this country, recognize God as being supreme and being in our life. God, the Creator, knows us well. There is nothing that God does not know about us.

But God can be just talk; we pay lip service and are not interested in being too serious about God. Religion replaces relationship. But it is God who will pull us together as people, the more we understand His ways and walk in His ways the quicker we will find solutions that we once thought impossible.

Both people, natives and non-natives, have some concept of the awesomeness of God. That He is moreover supreme. Native people should have known, as they participated in the treaties that non-natives removed an important element in the treaties; seeing moreover that they (non-natives) did not have the bible as part of the process, should have caused some concern. If anything, the treaties were given just lip service by the non-native side; a plan was being hatched and carried out.

Pride is a ruthless assassin, to think that we are holier than thou is a stench to God. “'Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!' Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day.” ~ Isaiah 65:5 The fire represents God’s anger that gets roused from people who assert a Holiness. Natives thought that their way was above/even greater, and that the absence of God from the non-native side was about them being lower in terms of spirituality. That was obviously not the case, but rather they were withdrawing an all important element for a very different reason.

Moreover, to make a covenant before the Creator is not wise; if anything let your words be few…that’s where wisdom lies. You can never be too quick to start making promises before God. It’s a foolish act before a Holy God! If anything it’s an act and path you may want to reconsider. Moreover constantly pushing things as “sacred” then is not what you would want to be doing.

So the absence of something does not make it non-existent, especially when it comes to the treaties. In fact non-natives appear to have more sense, even though they were doing things deceptively. The bible says, “Who would dare to come near me?" asks the LORD.” Isaiah 30:21

More later…But let us go on…..



The Treaties and beyond….

Unfortunately, yet true, there was an issue from the other side that was forwarded…natives were demonized, it was “us versus them.” There is no such thing as “us and them” in the grace message, if anything that was a colonial construct, even a religious concept. In fact the bible tells us of a God who rains on the good and the bad. This is wisdom, (and if we neglect truth we become indebt to it). Furthermore the church was about bringing new things…one was, “There is (now no distinction) neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is not male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” ~Galatians 3:28

But the truth is Canada was about nation building. Canada used every means to push their goals. Even using religion as a buffer to what they deemed a savage people.

(A small caveat: I would say continue reading, but I also say stay away from immediately antagonizing, read this thoroughly, and suspend your judgment. For one thing, this is an argument and opinions and points are going to be strong but in order to grasp the depth you need to hear things out.)

With that, let us go on….If God is for all, and He blesses even the wicked. “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the most high, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” ~ Luke 6:35 Yet for some reason native people were not treated with kindness. This is where we can make a distinction, between the compassion of God and the religion of men. If anything, Religion was being carried out on our people. One way was given up to promote another way. But was it God’s way? Even the most extreme in people (the bad and the wicked), were still loved by God. So even if native people were that extreme as non-natives were making them out to be, they still should have acted in compassion… especially if non-natives were really following the God of the bible.

Furthermore, God blesses all people; nowhere does it say to separate people, by moreover putting the bad people away and separating them. If anything all people were to benefit from everything equally. Obviously this was not a biblical concept, but rather the result of (religious) colonialism.

What could justify such acts if they were not adhering to the bible or Supreme God?

The age of enlightenment, was a time when men were taking their place in the world. Man-made theories were rampant. God was the Supreme ruler of the world, but God was now being pushed out of the equation and to the peripheries of what man was doing. One theory in particular was changing relationships among men.

Enter Social Darwinism, “Social Darwinism is a modern name given to various theories of society that emerged in the United States and Europe in the 1870’s, and which sought to apply biological concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest to sociology and politics. Social Darwinist generally argue that the strong should see their wealth and power increase while the weak should see their power and wealth decrease…Creationist have often maintained that social Darwinism-leading to policies designed to make the weak perish-is the logical consequence of Darwinism (the theory of natural selection in biology).” (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Darwinism )

The fact of the matter is we can discern three aspects in terms of what happened to natives with the coming of the white man. Christianity has the aspect of religion and a personal relationship intertwined. Religion, man’s way to God, was used against native people: And you couple that with colonialism. You will inadvertently have the way things played out in our country. Real Christianity is about God’s great love for mankind, about how He puts aside our ways to reach out to us. However Christianity and its real work, was overstepped; religion, was on the other hand given influence and the right to be carried out. In this way, I might add, native people could be preoccupied with religion, while the country was being exploited.

These are fundamental things yet, for some reason there are no clear definitions and distinctions made with these terms, in fact if anything, everything was meshed together; and certainly this was a clear problem. Christianity, the whiteman and colonialism were discussed and thought as being one. But it’s imperative that we need an understanding to unravel this mesh that we might find some rational thought. Even so, doing this helps us deal with things. There is a clear understanding that we can attain, unfortunately our unwillingness to deal with the issues and go beyond our antagonism has kept us locked up with these issues. Thus few care, with the way things are. Yet on the other hand as spiritual people, knowing the importance of how God fits in our lives, it is vital to our survival and wellbeing. If we are stunted with almighty God/the Creator in our relationship….And let me tell you, we are stunted if we are deeply antagonistic with other people; certainly there is no doubt about it. People then are and have become more important, than what God can and wants to give to us. Let’s go on….

Who would have thought that an ideology, such as Social Darwinism, with its survival of the fittest, would prove to be how things were predominantly carried out (especially in this country): That it moreover was okay to give all things to a group of people, who assumed superiority. In fact, based on that ideology, the denial of giving to the weak was further justified. As previously mentioned, natives were thought to be on the way to extinction.

On the other hand….Christianity with a compassionate God maintained, “Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all.” ~ Ecclesiastes 5:8

Christianity was trying to pull men together, while religion and colonialism was separating people. From the assumption that the ignorant people needed supervision, to assuming that the weak and their power and wealth could diminish while the superior could be encouraged to exist. Furthermore, and based on that way of thinking extinction was inevitable for the weak. Religion was however allowed to save the few that it could.

There was no ten steps to freedom…self-help books and inner strength teachings were a distant mirage on the horizon. This was a day to do away with the weak, to allow the superior to reign. Not only should that kind of pride make you gag, but we have to be astonished that compassion was all but eliminated. God the Creator loved men, all men! This was real religion!

God is about compassion, about love for His creation. “Let us make man in our image” was not about superiors and wretched beings. It was about His prized creation, who moreover would one day be enriched with a relationship that we were all created for. A relationship to Love and interact with our God and Creator.

One of the things was that we were given free wills, to choose our own paths, but that is not to say God did not try to lead us. If anything our will to do wrong lead us further from God. We are creators of our world. Our passions and desires lead us as well. Not to mention that the rebellion to God, the devil, will do anything to keep us (people) from God. Nations are deceived today; some are walled away from God, carrying out the devils most notorious plans….the plan of segregation.

There is one God over all men and He is bringing us together. He is tearing down the walls that separate us.

If God is love and the devil embodies hatred for God, then we know the devil hates all that God loves…men are certainly on that hit-list, because they are greatly loved by God. There is an antagonism that goes on and will soon escalate in the spiritual realm. Even with men themselves there is an antagonism…men can embody hatred/wickedness for that matter. I know we want to be at peace with all people but that is almost impossible. The bible says, “An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; and he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.” ~ Proverbs 29:27

Nothing tears down evil more than people who refuse to do evil, and instead chose to do good.

Evil exists that’s a given. But few know that the devil deceives nations. “The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” ~ Revelation 12:9 The devil being against God, has been building walls around people, to keep them from the Creator and the things that the Creator desires (such as seeing people come together). He (the devil) will do anything to alter and inhibit good relationships from developing between man and Almighty God.

The devil works through deception, antagonism and confusion. And he doesn’t announce his efforts. If these things exist (antagonism, confusion and deception) we know the devil has worked overtime to produce such an environment. And basically that’s what our relationship is like in this country (the native and non-native relationship). Moreover because this relationship has been given little attention, it has been the proving grounds and perpetuator of that broken and strained relationship we have today. The devil has had his way. But change can happen.

The bible has so many examples, and is an awesome tool for people. “Every Scripture is God-breathed/inspired and profitable for instruction…” We think about colonialism, where there were dominant nations. For example, there was the Egyptians and how they dominated the nation Israel. The Israelites became slaves, slaves who cried out to God to be delivered from the oppression of slavery. We think about how, the blacks were able to juxtapose themselves with the stories in the bible, and in particular with this story (Moses and slavery). The Blacks were slaves who cried out to God. The oppression of slavery was so oppressive it spread to a system of law. Slavery was legalized. But more appalling slavery found a justification through the church. Religion; was about taking truth and justifying and manipulating circumstances to further dominate or to promote an oppressive system. The blacks were cursed by God according to the twisted truth of the bible. And as a result atrocities could be justified, as the blacks were deemed savage folk. If they moreover were savage, they were low folk and they could be mistreated.

It’s hard to point fingers at the word/the bible when you understand people twisted the meanings to favor themselves. The truth is we are all sinners, all equal in that respect. Since there was nothing greater than the bible things had an air of justification and could not be questioned. But the bible warns, “Not many of you should be teachers, for you know we will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity.” Again the fear of God is a true guide, which is to say we need God’s mercy and guidance. Justifying our way cannot replace our need to do right. If anything we should do right with all fear and trembling. But we know that there was another interpretation (the antislavery or abolitionist movement) that did not follow such propaganda. In fact slavery was eventually dismantled and that basically would also come from a position in the bible.

“Radical abolitionism was partly fueled by the religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening, which prompted many people to advocate for emancipation on religious grounds. Abolitionist ideas became increasingly prominent in Northern churches and politics beginning in the 1830s, which contributed to the regional animosity between North and South leading up to the Civil War.” (http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/abolitionist-movement )

Moreover, there is the story of John Newton, author of the famous song, “Amazing Grace,” who was himself involved in the slave trade. But he would turn around after a spiritual encounter with the living God. What he once accepted and lived was now under question. With an awakened conscience, he saw the wiles of his ways. The slave trade was encouraged by the church complete with religious teaching. This wasn’t God’s way as much as it was man’s way. We can see that men have used the bible to promote their own way. But it takes an awakening to see things differently. It is possible to go against your teachings, culture, arguments and be completely turned around. Quote, “We live our lives through stories that reinforce certain values and beliefs. What’s true or false, acceptable or not, are constructs that are held aloft like a scaffold in the collective psyche. But when a critical mass of individuals lets go of these stories, a tipping point is reached, and the scaffold collapses. So it was when the slave trade was abolished.” (From, “Facing Up to the Capitalist Within”) John Newton became an advocate against slavery….that’s not being a hypocrite but being enlightened. What religion created…a spiritual awakening would dismantle. We need an awakening.

Wisdom is about learning from our mistakes, and correcting them and doing right. What else can be done, if a wrong/sin has been committed? I know we love the blame game, but we are denying the guilty people the right to amend things. And no one has the power to do that. Guilt is just a stepping stone to change. If all we want to do is bring guilt, are we really conduits of change? Or are we the ones who hinder good things from transpiring?

Colonialism has being going on for a long time and is still active, Canada and how it treats its original inhabitants is still operating and does not want to be called by what it really is. It is actually from the roots of slavery; it embodies the bars of isolation and was in part created byway of religion (man’s way).

After slavery was overcome legally it nevertheless remained intact in white society. In fact there was a system that kept races separated (the Jim Crow laws): And this occurred in the church system as well. One of the greatest moves of God, came at the turn of the 20th century. The place, a tumble down shack in Los Angles, became known as the Azuza Street Revival. The Spirit of God came in power and might, in this lowly place where interracial mixing was common. People would come from far and wide to see the new move of God, but some turned away disgruntled and unhappy and that was because they disapproved of the race mixing. God’s work is about pulling races together. It’s about transcending man’s ways.

Christianity, is about Christ. I had a chance to watch some of the movie, “Son of God,” I would like to point out a few things. The story opens up in Jesus’ day…The Romans were the colonial power that was oppressing the Jewish people. The people were crying from the oppression of the powers that dominated them. In fact, the Jewish people were looking for a Saviour. Jesus was that Saviour. But Jesus was about the Kingdom of God. (*Important Point: More on this later)

In one particular incident where Jesus was drawing water at a well; He asked a Samaritan, or a half-breed (a social reject at that time), for water. And along with that she was a woman, who was promiscuous. He crossed all religious lines to show God’s great love. He told her that if she only knew who He was, He would give her rivers of living water. (See Book of John) Jesus was breaking traditions. He was hated, because of the traditionalist and the fact that they thought they had the one and only way. Their way was to exclude, God's way was to reach out with compassion and embrace all people.

Jesus came to take down religion and bring man back to God. “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous and for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.” ~ 1Peter 3:18

Men constructed systems to God, based on men’s teachings. The Catholic was at one time the head of the Christian religion, and that was the world over. There was a man named Martin Luther who fought the religion of man or Catholicism. The religion at the time was about ceremonies and offerings. It was also about a superior person who stood between men and God. And in this instance he was known as the Pope. Martin asserted that men did not need a go between, and that Jesus was the head of the church. He also stated that salvation was a gift from God; it was free, apart from the works that we do. The Catholic called this heresy. Martin was like Jesus who was opposed by the religious people of his day. Martin was bringing back the relationship between men and God. Salvation belonged to God alone. Over and over we see that man is always getting away from God.

Truth is universal; it transcends the differences in people. And that falls in line with us having one God over all people. It’s amazing, that people try so hard to disconnect themselves from humanity…you’d think some people came from a different world. But the fact is we are all the same with different lives lived. If we are created by one God surely He can deal with us all…if anything more than likely there are going to be stark similarities in how He deals with us! Truth is truth no matter where it is.



Assyria

Assyria in the bible was a nation that ruled and dominated many nations…overthrowing many. In fact God allowed this to happen. This raises a fundamental thing in terms of God. We think God must be unjust, as we apply our feeble minds to the things we read in the bible. We tend to raise a fist, like we have a great understanding…..more than even God Himself. From my point of view, that is ludicrous. But believe it or not, there are people who are out there who encourage rebellion; they want you to raise that fist. I am native; I grew up respecting other’s beliefs; and most of all, that was related to respecting All Mighty God. My point is people want us to see the impossible and unreasonable things in the bible, they want us to question and think that we can be unjust by not holding our opinion…and by moreover spouting off our judgments. And that God moreover can be reduced to our feeble lives. But…“All flesh is as frail as grass…the grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it, surely the people are like grass.” ~ Isaiah 40:6,7

Assyria had power over nations, this was allowed by God: But that right was short lived. Assyria was used against God’s nation, the Jews. “Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger-the club in their hands is my fury! Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire in the streets.” Isaiah 10:5,6

This was one of the reasons for their (Assyria’s) loss of power and position. “But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind; but it is in his heart to destroy and to cut off nations…” Isaiah 10:7

“For he (Assyria) says are not all my commanders kings?…..As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols whose images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria, shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols, what I have done to Samaria and her images?” Isaiah 8-11

“But this is what God Almighty says…”When the Lord has finished all his work on Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the arrogant boasting of the King of Assyria and his haughty pride.” Isaiah 10:12

“For he (Assyria) says, By the strength of my hand I have done it and by my wisdom, for I have understanding: I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones…” Isaiah 10:13,14

“Shall the axe boast over the one who wields it, or the saw magnify itself against the one who handles it? Or the rod should raise the one who lifts it up or as if a staff should lift the one who is not wood!" Isaiah 10:15

Nations may rise over other nations, but it is never to destroy, or to boast in itself. Arrogance is a trap, and even more so when God Almighty is involved. There is hope in trouble, that we can moreover call to God and He will hear and change things…for nothing is impossible with God. But has our troubles humbled us?

God does hear the cry of the oppressed.

If God used a nation to teach and humble his own people, than what is there that says that he cannot use the same circumstance for other nations?

Canada is a nation that has lots and there is no reason why native people should not be benefiting from all that is in this country. After years of being excluded and treated like we deserve less (a lie no less) things need to dramatically change. We have been excluded from the message that we are all the same before God. And that we are all accountable to God for what we do, there is no difference in us as people. But man has created a system that benefits them, to the expense of others. Their laws have become their God. We talk like we are a great and just nation but the facts speak otherwise. Knowledge is not limited to a group of people it can be opened up to anyone. Having said that, it seems strange and should be shocking that the way things should be will meet with how things are right now and are in many instances still being done. But granted those changes and freedoms are for this day and age.

Just recently there was an election in the states, the republicans came out on top…they felt they were getting things back in order. Sarah Palin spoke this…. “So, establishment types, remember that you didn’t build this!" she added, hearkening back to President Obama's infamous 2012 campaign trail remark. "This majority that swept you into power tonight is thanks to the rank and file common sense conservative grassroots. That’s who built it. And they expect results."

For a Christian, we know it is God who leads men, we haven’t built nothing without the power of God…seems to me the Axe is boasting. Rather than progress towards goodwill between men….materialism and capitalism for that matter is ruling the roost.

I remember a dream I had, when Barrak Obama won. He was running around inviting people as he was putting on a barbeque. But sadly it was being resisted by some. I wondered why that was so! I realized he was in a place where people thought they had greater powers of ownership and he was stepping in their territory: So much for the ideals of democracy (that all men are created equal) in the great democratic country. We talk God, but twist things.

We are all the same before God; we need to stop putting up walls. We need to push those people aside and out of the way who want to keep divisions in place. We should have open ears today for all truth. This country was made on and by all people who are here…how they can be excluded is a lie from the pit of selfishness and greed. Things need to change and there is no reason why that can’t happen. The worse thing is to see native people pressed down further, in their already decrepit state. Or we don’t want to think that the way for this country is to rise further in arrogance and pride…Hitler already gave us all we can handle with that ideology. Destroying people as well as pride is a sin for any nation.

Oppression is in how people think nothing of people; that they are expendable…and pride is oppressive. We have to pity a country that walks with these attitudes.

There is still one final sin committed by Assyria, “ I have purposed and so it shall stand-That I will break the Assyrian in my land and upon my mountains I will tread him underfoot…” Pride is a trap, to think that one is so lifted up that you can go to God’s Holy Mountain, is the ultimate deception…but pride truly is a deception.

But when it comes down to it, we have little control and these things (destroying of nations and the building of pride in a nation) could happen. But we have to remember again we can find truth in the bible about this very circumstance.



The Revival of Deliverance

If our country is predestined to come down, and your guess is as good as mine, through the destruction of a nation within, to the rising of pride (nationalism) we appear to have a path that we will travel as a country. Like our life in this country, in terms of native people, it seems that the prospects seem slim at best, that we will see change for the good. I guess this paper could end here, but there is and always will be a God who answers the cry of the oppressed: As humble hearts cry out…loving God will indeed come down.

Never has one country been so overrun as the Israelites were, they have been overrun by the Egyptians and in Jesus’ day it was Romans. They ruled the Jews with an iron fist, oppressing the people. The people cried out for salvation from the cruelties of oppression and being ruled by another nation. As Moses stood between two mountains, with the Red sea in front of them and the Egyptian army pursuing them….God made a way.

The Assyrians were also at the doorsteps, threatening the people/the nation Israel. God delivered them. With 185,000 killed in one day. So with a history of calling on All Mighty God to deliver them, the Jewish people called again to be delivered from Rome.

Jesus came to save his people; his disciples asked him if he would be restoring the nation. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” ~ Acts 1:6 Jesus was not about Israel at this time, but about the kingdom of God. To make known His Father…to bring nations back to God. He wasn’t overlooking their circumstance but was bringing something greater. He was bringing a personal liberation to all people. As they looked for their liberation from Rome, they began to think that Jesus was not the saviour. But, the truth was that He was the Saviour of the whole world. It’s important to know what Jesus was about, “And He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 We are all His people.

We look for liberation we yearn to get out of our circumstance, yet the greatest prison is in our souls. We have something greater in front of us and that’s the opportunity for a personal liberation. We have more than oppression from people; we have the chains of sin enslaving us. Sin, the powers of sin and the deliverance of sin, is a universal message. If it’s true and you are the devil, wouldn’t you want to keep people from that message? The message of personal freedom: “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” ~John 8:36

It’s a simple message that even children can grasp it. Jesus came; He died on the cross because of our sins. No one could pay the price for our sins. And our sins needed to be dealt with. So Jesus took our place. We need to confess our sins and accept the finished work of Jesus Christ. We need to pray, God I’m a sinner…. I accept Jesus’ finished work…God please come into my heart. The gospel is about Jesus, and what He did for us… “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

Life doesn’t always line up and we are faced with prisons and oppression, and that’s so true for native people. Yet the one message that will transcend circumstances has been kept away from us. By so many countless people and so many circumstances, there is a divide from hope (realized). The message of Jesus has not reached our people. God wants to come into our lives and circumstance. Things can change; God is willing to change things for us.

Why is that message kept from native people, other than that’s what the devil wants…we are unfortunate to have suffered so much by human hands and for some reason we have attached God to those circumstances. We raise our fist, blindly. Why have we not had the simple message given to us? When others have reached out and taken hold of the greatest message...we haven’t even put out our hands.

God is revealing to us (natives and non-natives) that we are the same…why are we (native people) so excluded from the universal message of the cross: These are the two stones that are blocking progress in this country. There is a man-made construction that keeps us apart; there is an attitude that is keeping us from accepting God’s way for all men and women. We need to remove the stumbling stones put there by men. Why didn’t Jesus change things, why didn’t He remove the oppressors from the land? He could have called down Angels- A Mighty Army from heaven. But he said, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by His own Authority.” ~ Acts 1:7

God is about us individually…our personal freedom means more. If we can be free, than we can speak freedom to others.

God is mighty and nothing is impossible to Him. Real freedom is knocking on your door!



Canada at the Cross-Roads

A spiritual message is not a farfetched idea, for one thing it certainly falls in line with this country’s creation. We are all people who have that spirituality in our lives directly or indirectly, whether personally or from generations before.

God is Holy, awesome and that’s something we need to grasp. As a society, we have drifted from this attitude (of respect), and conversely since it (disrespect) is allowed in society more readily it is no wonder we see it throughout society. Native people are against Christianity, based on eclectic circumstances geared at negativity. So we know that native people are often against Christianity. But really it’s about respect; if you really respected, like some are quick to assert, you would know that of all persons, God is the one we all need to respect. On the other hand, disrespect is wickedness. It is foolish to think we have a right to say what we want, that’s a good way to come to a quick end, quicker than we have to. Those are hard words but it’s a hard subject. “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”~ Proverbs 9:10 In fact life is lengthened when we possess respect, even more so when we give it to God. “The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” ~ Proverbs 10:27

Why is fearing and respecting God important? It is important because we need something to guide our choices. We need sense; we need wisdom, in moreover circumstances that are often led by disrespect and ignorance. It’s one thing to have it in your personal life but it’s another thing to have it leading our country. Great countries come from a great God!

Just recently, a preview was released of a documentary that will be shown on APTN. It’s entitled, “Between the Feather and the Cross.” Of course you can see the discontent, anger and hate directed at Christianity….and for the most part that’s the sentiment of native people, generally speaking. And that’s the meaning of this paper….can relations be better, is there a bridge over those troubled waters?

The non-native position is not any better, they are wondering if they should take it all away and destroy our lives as native people. People say we will never be destroyed, I agree in part. But our lives are closely linked to a law of the land. As sure as we have had to live with oppression and domination (this law) as sure we will be living with further degradation if we lose and allow the laws to do away with some of our right/benefits….. our position in this country will surely worsen. If we are allowed to be degraded via the law, and this being closely associated to how we (native people) are treated, you know that if their laws prevail over us and do away with the little we have, those innate rights over us, will be encouraged. That domination will not decrease but increase. (That’s as clear as I can put it…let’s move on).

There is superiority in the air; nationalism is on the rise….yet no country will rise in this day and age. There will be a group of countries that will merge, on the world’s stage. The day of lone great nations is about to end.

But remember to destroy nations within another nation is a sin, just as pride for a country is sin.

If we turn against the Creator trying to make our own spirituality, we are in a wrong place. If we hate and lack respect, those who encourage such things will pay a great price. If we destroy a nation in a time of peace, if we rise to such a place of pride…the future does not look good!

The walls and chains on (native) people need to be stripped off, and people need to be allowed to come to God and choose His way. As a nation (specifically Canada) we need to fix our relationship of dominance we have with native people. We need to abandon, this nationalistic pride until this relationship is better.

But it seems we are headlong, but that’s why we need to revive the fear of God like no other time…our future depends on it. “If my people will humble themselves…”

Allowing arrogance to raise its fist at God, allowing people to dominate and destroy a nation, and to let pride lead a people where there are many people ….we are being lead to destruction.

The fires are breaking out in this country…..but it will be the Cross that will make a difference.

We are all in this together, and we have our own responsibility in this.

Jesus will change this country, but He needs your heart to begin.

Jesus said, “I am the beginning and the end!” ~ Revelation 22:13 There is a beginning when we turn to Him. For a country where everyone is espousing God in their life, as a message from God by God we have an opportunity.



What a Difference a Day Makes

Firstly the Christian message is universal; it is a message of grace. Grace means, unmerited favour of God….our favour lies in Jesus.

If it’s all from God, we wonder why…one simple thing is that no man can boast. Grace is God’s mercy to all mankind. Free for all.

It goes against our whole life where we thought, that we had to walk and do good. Which is somewhat true, but it gets us no further to God. We take sacrifices, sacrifices for what? We obviously can’t do it, we are frail and weak, unable to do good. So we need something…sacrifices are one way. But that was eliminated, you don’t need to shed blood, burn incense, do good (if that’s how we think we can come to God). When Jesus hung on the cross, He was making a way. He cried “it is finished,” and gave up His spirit. Everything was atoned for, the final sacrifice was offered, a sinless perfect life hung on the cross.

After recognizing Jesus’ work, God can come into our heart. Freedom from sin, whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. Gods love can live in your life.

But for native people its resentment, hate, bitterness, we think it’s a message not for us. But it’s for all mankind. We have lived a life so excluded; we have been conditioned to think we are different. When the truth is we are and have always been the same.

There is a universal message from God; we are the same as any other human being, created by one Creator. How the walls have been built, to keep things in and to keep things out. Natives are not only kept out but they keep themselves on the outside looking in.

So we have a nation for God at least that’s the message we hear from all sides, from all people living here, well today is a day to live the life we speak of. It’s the next step for this country to change our relationship. We all have that responsibility.

You can’t have a great nation if you don’t walk in God’s way.

Men have had that problem, where they have tried to make a great name for themselves. But when they hear about God’s way, suddenly they can’t hear! We have lots of things to put down, and lots of things to change.

The progress men make is a lying and deceptive way. It’s the burden of nations today…progress. It’s a trap for pride. Riches are an imagination. So deceptive is that way that Nations think they have it in themselves to rise to great heights. The deception of Nations is to think they are that good, that exalted, that holy to come before Almighty God. It is men’s independence and strength that deceives nations. “(I)t is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” Camels kneel, something that high and lofty people don’t understand. We have before us an opportunity to change our nation, as we struggle with one another, it will call for humility. You will have to make a sacrifice; your pride will have to lie on the ground. We can work towards better relations or we can carry on. There is no one immune from correction; if you can’t find your issues, in what I have written, that moreover needs to be corrected…I’m afraid you are part of the problem. Whether it is material and external things that have puffed us up or spiritual things, those things need to be thrown to the ground (as they will be thrown down one way or another).

Babylon (spiritual darkness) and Assyria (man’s glory) have no future. “ And I will rise up against them, says the Lord of Hosts, and cut off from Babylon name and remnant…..I will break the Assyrian in my land and upon my mountains, I will tread him underfoot.” …..”The Lord of Hosts has sworn, saying surely as I have thought and planned, so shall it come to pass, and I have purposed, so shall it stand.” Isaiah 14 God allows us all an opportunity to change….do we heed; do we have the ears to hear? We can certainly change our day!

Final word: This is where we are in this country; this piece was meant to give us an insight into things as they are and where we can go as a country. Real freedom is inside us, and no nation dictates anything, God is still God. I hope we have the sense to move towards what is best for us as a country. We need to stop trying to push our own agendas. We talk a good talk that we are Godly people, and rather than listen to the way that will lead us to a better and higher ground, we walk our own paths. A new day can be seen in this country. We may think this is hard, but it’s not impossible. We have to be serious about finding solutions….we need the ears to hear!

It is one thing worshipping the work of our hands (idolatry) but it’s just as sinful to do our own thing and turn from hearing right. We need to be "doers of the word not just hearers." (James1:22)

Life does not lay with human hands, it lays with God Almighty. Yet we refuse to hear, we walk listening to our own way…we have become little gods. Pride and stubbornness is a rope around our necks. Yet in life God offers a way for all people; "if any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives freely." (James 1:5) God has not left man to himself, but our nature goes away from God. We cry out, when things get tough and God hears us and answers us. But we are back to living our life without God.

This nation can be more than it is, it can overcome every issue before us. Are we willing to get there?



Conclusion

Are you nervous….you should be….our God is an awesome and Holy God. God is going to bless nations, and if you can’t be there, others will get what God is giving. It is free, and it comes from God’s gracious hand, through Jesus. We need humility, obedience, reverence. The waters are about to burst.

If a man has Joy, it’s his joy….we can’t share in it. He can tell you about it. How awesome is God, so Holy, so high and lifted up, so glorious.

We need to be humbled, as we come to a Holy God! Like the terrible mountain when the Israelites approached…but beyond the terrifying mountain…is a loving God. You can’t detach those aspects of God: The reality and truth is, God is Holy and Loving!

Holy God longs to embrace His loved creation. You want the truth, we can’t handle the truth…the disciples asked who can be saved!….with God all things are possible. Are you coming across yet, Jesus is there for us all…God mercy is stretched out.

We miss so much in life and one is the Love of God….yet we stumble and try to figure it all out, yet God says, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:10) And again it says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding!” (Proverbs 3:5 )

You certainly have to reconcile these aspects of God in your life. Like I said this is for all people.

Some people are not satisfied with abandoning all to God, even though we assert that we are a godly people. Hatred has to be overcome, just as indifference and domination has to be overcome. But truth enables us to go beyond these hindrances of man. For a better country, it’s imperative, if we are to see the changes we want in this country. Be it inner strength and intelligence or be it the supernatural strength of a God who is willing to do more than we ask or think. We have to do something otherwise we will be at best a white-washed nation that will carry its shame, onwardly.

In the end we are all the same, with one God over us all; and the fear of God is essential to walking in wisdom. Today we need a brotherhood; and we need wisdom to find the best direction for our country! These are not far-fetched ideas, but steps to fulfilling a new destiny.

There are natural laws….sin has to be dealt with. We begin by humbling ourselves and admitting our wrongs. This country can be a great country, but we need to put God and His way first.

To a nation who espouses God, it is written…..”(I)f my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ~ 2 chronicles 7:14

We are all God’s people.



P.S

It’s one thing to offer Christianity as information, but it’s another thing to see it lived out. With that, I have included a personal testimony.

“You are all around me-in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.” ~ Psalm 139:5



A personal testimony.....coming to God

The house was beautiful; we had wall to wall carpeting, a small pool in the back yard, the house was immaculate and beautifully designed. There was a pantry not far from the kitchen. We had our own space downstairs. I loved boarding at the Gates’ home; Stewart worked for Indian Affairs, and his beautiful wife, Bernice, was a stay at home mom.

There was five of us, all from the same rez (White Bear Reserve), we had come from other boarding homes, and ended up at the Gates’ home. I can’t say it enough...I loved them (the Gates) dearly, as well as their children. I loved the talks I had with Bernice; we would drink coffee and just talk about anything. I developed a great relationship with the family. I would often babysit on weekends or at least when they went out to get groceries or just go for coffee on those Saturday mornings. I was a sixteen year old loving life.

I sure never had a great life, so having this blessing in my life was so different for me. I was, at an early age, into drugs and drinking (something very common for the youth on my reserve). I grew up abused (and this affected my life but I didn’t realize that until later)... despite all that, there was one thing I was determined to do and that was to stay at my studies in high school. I lived a pretty impoverished life and there were lots of social problems that came with it.

I ended up boarding in Yorkton in my high school years....thanks to the chief, Norman Shepherd, and the councilmen at the time. They decided to invest in our lives and give us, the youth of White Bear, an opportunity to stay in school. It wasn’t that we had trouble with Carlyle (the school), it was that we would be away from the influences of the reserve and the life that it offered. We boarded at different houses, but eventually we ended up at one house, the house of Stewart Gates. Stewart and his family were church going people...Jehovah Witnesses to be exact.

Anyways one evening when we were living with Stewart... Stewart asked us to sit around the table. He wanted to read the bible to us. My friend and cousin, Aaron, was skeptical and slightly offended by Stewart’s request. I didn’t mind sitting there, because it certainly was something that stayed with me. Something I would later revisit: He talked about the last days. They were Jehovah witnesses and that was something they focused on. I was taught to be respectful of the bible or anything that was related to God. I’m thankful that my grandparents instilled in me a tolerance and respect for things of God. It would help me find my way in life. (It’s an important part of who we are as native people-being respectful)

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It was a mild, blue, winter night when my grandmother came knocking at my window. I had moved back to White Bear, after my stay in Yorkton. And after giving a boarding school (Gordon’s Residential School) a shot...I ended up back on my reserve. I wanted freedom and a boarding school was a pretty confining environment, to say the least.

My grandmother was crying... my mom had just passed away. I loved my mom, even though I never stayed with her. Eventually I moved back with her. We lived in a house that wasn’t very far from my grandmother’s place. Our houses were closely situated on a hill; my grandfather had built all our houses, four in total. I was seventeen at the time; it was a change in my life. God was so graceful to me; He was with me even at this time working out things to the time when I would encounter Him.

Grace, grace, grace, my life was so horrible. I’m pretty ashamed of my life. And that life was weighing so heavily on my heart. I was expecting a new baby, and the load got bigger. Having grown up with my grandparents, I was more or less free to live on my own after I moved with my mom.

I purchased a car with money that my girlfriend and I made through summer jobs. I was proud that I learned some valuable things from friends. One of my friends, Barry Standing Ready, used to pay room and board to his parents. I decided to do the same and give my mom money. At the time, I didn’t know to what extent my mother’s sickness was. We found out that she had cancer, and I surmised that it was probably terminal. (tears rolled down my cheeks after hearing that)

Alcohol was eating at my life....being young, you have so much going for you. And your life gets torn down quickly when you go headlong into drinking, you lose confidence. Not to mention the added weight of the horrible and demoralizing things that happened while I was drunk. How I managed to get out of that life seems to be a miracle. But again God was helping me, a wretched sinner.

My family in Yorkton was still ever so mindful of me; Stewart had sent an application into the University of Regina for me. I was accepted. I entered and got accepted as a mature student, even though I was 19 at the time. I later found out that the Gates wanted to adopt me. But things were not to be; I met my girlfriend, who would be my lifelong love.

Oh God how you were there in my life, and gracious to someone so unworthy: But that’s the truth, God is Love and full of mercy and grace!

He can take a wrecked life, and one that is so bent to destruction and He can reach down and put us in a right direction.

The death of my mom was a life changing event for me. I recall that my family felt that we (me and my siblings) should go see my mom. My mom was in and out of consciousness, I entered her room at the hospital and she was aware of things (during my visit) and she proceeded to tell me that she loved me. All those years of hardness to my mom melted that day...God thank-you for your grace. She said that she knew that we argued often, but she said that she loved me. Don’t let anyone tell you that forgiveness is not a powerful tool because it will greatly impact your life, I changed that day. I will always love my Mom! That one moment made her the mom that I thought she never was.

I could hear my brother crying in the outhouse...even though we knew she (my mother) was sick...it still came as a devastation. I was eighteen and he was sixteen. I think me coming back to my mom, was something my brother needed. My independence, rubbed off on him. I had a girlfriend, he had one too. I worked, He worked too. I moved away to school and that was where our lives took different turns and we ended up leading different lives.

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It was about 7 am, and I got ready to head out, to go check my snares. I was living with my grandma up to age 13. I hurried along and found that a rabbit was caught in the snare that I set the evening before. I took it home, and ran off to catch the bus. I was feeling more independent, and I loved it.

As far as I remember I lived with my grandparents. I remember them being so busy, so I had chores as well: Such as hauling firewood for the wood-stove. I also had the chicken coup that was in need of attending. I set traps around the coup, to catch the rats that were making their way in the coup. We (my grandparents and I) did many things we would collect pop bottles and copper and take them to town. In the summer we picked berries and sold them at one of the resorts around our reserve. After doing that I always got some candy: my favorite being the orange mojos.

Growing up gave me some independence, for the most part I was quite confined living with my grandparents. So anytime I could do something, I would do it, just so I could get away from being confined. At one point, I decided to make some extra money, so I decide to sell wood to my mom who lived in another house but not far away. I was probably 12 at the time. I know she was just being nice when she bought my wheel barrel full of wood. We had other grandkids, who stayed with us off and on. My cousin, Dawn, was a darling, she was so cute. But she was also a pest (anything a true teenager would say about their younger siblings), and one day she wanted this harmonica that I had. She cried her eyes out, like any youngster, wanting the harmonica. My grandmother said, give it to her, she proceeded to grab the harmonica from me. I hung on tightly, because it was mine and I certainly didn’t see why I had to hand it over to her. My grandmother was aghast that I was resisting. The audacity of her being resisted, independence was getting the best of me. She told my grandfather, but it wasn’t like I was fighting her. But nonetheless I was given the boot...so I was off to my mom’s. I love my grandmother for her discipline that she instilled in my life. But I craved love, I despised the hate I seen as I grew up. Growing up as a grandchild, living with my grandparents just lacked the love I wanted. But they loved me, and I knew that, as a result I never turned from them; in fact I would end up going back to them always. (I miss them to this day).

I had so many good friends; they seemed to be a great influence on me. I remember going across town with my friend after school. I was attending Carlyle grade school...Carlyle was a small town and it was about nine miles from the reserve.....so we had to bus it back and forth. Anyways my friend wanted to go and enquire about a job. The place was across town. We ended up getting a job to my surprise, and thanks to my friend’s efforts. So my first paying job was at age 13 for 75 cents an hour (cleaning pig stalls), my first paycheck was 7 whole dollars. For one thing the walk home was tiring. We would hitchhike back home and I lived on the east end of the reserve which was another few miles. So it was tiring and a long walk home that put an end to that excursion.

The next summer I got a real job, I worked at the resort store. My cousin, Mike, hired me to stock the shelves. The next year I ended up working at my future father-law’s place of work. We worked in a resort, doing odd things like cleaning beaches and stuff. I liked taking the tractor or the old fire engine out for a spin. I also learned to drive a standard at the resort.

Living on the reserve had some good things, one was playing ball. We had a pretty good team and that was because we had a good coach. We were taught to pitch and play the game, all the fundamentals needed to be a successful ball player. It was awesome and we were quite successful. The satisfaction of beating the local town was the crowning achievement. But I think the thing that stayed with me was the comradeship we enjoyed; there was no “I” in team (as the cliché goes). Again it was another friend who was a great influence on me; he taught me what being a team was all about. About being positive, something I’m sure he got from his dad. The coach couldn’t have been better, he was a class act. This whole teamwork and work ethic stayed with me and was a positive influence on me in my life.

Unfortunately, life was no all that good, there was abuse and alcohol was a big part of living on the reserve. Hate was just part of life...and I felt the power of hate and the devastation that comes from it. I wanted change so much.

My brother was pretty precocious, he convinced me to go to boarding school. I left my boarding home in Yorkton to try it out: Or was my influence because I met a girl who was attending that boarding school, no matter what, it was my destination. Of course I met success...dreams come true when you’re young, if you go for it.

God you were there with me, you guided my steps. You rescued me.

******************************************

I worked hard, thanks to the encouragement I received from Bernice Gates when I was attending school in Yorkton. The high school that we attended out of the residential school was called Punnichy High. I excelled in my Physics class; I passed my grade 11 and 12 classes. Boxing was an interesting pursuit, and I excelled in that as well. But certainly not like my brother who went far in the sport.

This whole residential school thing just didn’t sit well with me, one concern was that we were young adults and we should have been treated with more respect and freedom. None of this line up, stay with the group, stuff. I asked the administer if, as older students, here in high school...was it possible, if we could get together as youth and meet in the dining room. So boys and girls were allowed to interact, it was right up to 1979 that the boys and girls were kept apart. (Something I did to be closer to my future wife). I was changing the world for her!

I eventually moved back to the reserve, and went back to Carlyle high, so I made the bus trip once again. I was with my girlfriend, and she was going to high school as well. It wouldn’t be long before she was expecting. Born to us was, April Corrette Joyce Ann Maxie, on March 29th 1980 in Arcola Saskatchewan. She was fair and beautiful, certainly a princess. Needless to say I didn’t finish my high school year. I ended up working for a ranch. But my wild life of drugs and alcohol was digging deeper into my life. But trouble started piling up on me, I wanted out and things were just feeling rather hopeless.

I got some mail one day; it was from the University of Regina...they accepted me for classes. I was elated, that’s an understatement; change was coming for me again. God was doing something again. (For one thing Stewart Gates and his wife, Bernice, never forgot about me, Stewart applied to the University for me)

We stayed with my wife’s relatives, for about a month, alcohol was just one bad habit that was eating at my life. I wanted to be responsible for my girl and my wife, I had to change.

Eventually we got our own place; my cousin, Mike, who was living in Regina was such a great help. So we moved into an apartment, not only was alcohol a bad thing in my life but I had bad habits. I was one for the girls, and that would prove to be a problem that I was going to be dealing with for most of my life.

We finally moved to our first house, it was a new experience, to be able to be on our own. But the habits were following us closely. My sister had moved into town, and she needed a place to live until she found herself a place, so I said sure...move in.

She loved to read and she passed on a book to me, Hal Lindsey’s “The Late Great Planet Earth.” It was an end-time book, something I was somewhat familiar with because of my chat with Stewart Gates. I read it and it made references to the bible, I managed to find a pocket testament, and in it you were asked to promise to read a portion of it continually and that was a way to be blessed by God. I decided to do it. But you can’t read the bible without it affecting you. I was going to walk through some harrowing times; it was like a cold cloudy day that didn’t seem to end. Confronting the truth is a soul searching episode. The clouds of sin quickly cover your day. But the winds would one day blow. The sun was coming out.

I recall looking out the window of the library on the fourth floor in the University of Regina, and thinking and feeling torn over my life. I had been thinking about the future, and that future looked pretty bleak. I was getting oppressed about life.

Well couple that with my need to change my life...God was now working a plan in my life. My life was coming face to face with real change...the change that can only go deep into your heart. The issue of sin was now front and center in my life. I had to deal with the sin issue.

******************

Before I went to the big city (Regina), I remember these Mormons that would come by and would share their beliefs with us. Again my grandparents and parent taught us to be respectful. So I had a good relationship with them. I would feel guilty if they came by and we were sometimes tying into a few (drinking).

Religion or Christianity was not something I stayed away from. I thank my grandparents for allowing me to be open and respectful of Christians.

I read the bible for about a year or so. I was going to university, and I always came back to wanting change in my life. I kept seeing my failures. Now after reading the end time book, I knew we were not sitting well as people on the earth. Reading these scriptures on the end times was a very disconcerting time. But I persisted regardless; I was searching not knowing what I was looking for.

My life was horrible and there was no other sinner as bad as me, I trembled...but God kept me seeking. My life was becoming more repentant, and I was starting to lay-off my old habits.

******************

I was reading the bible and I wanted more, all I had was the small New Testament that I got from my sister. I found out that my wife’s relatives had a complete bible. It was an old, white, leather covered bible...a family bible written in the old-King James version. The bet was on...they all surmised that I would not last. But I kept reading it.

I was slowly changing, God does a work in a person’s heart....and He promised to be found by those who seek Him.

My wife’s relatives were going to church at the time; the church they were attending was the Regina Native Fellowship. Church was certainly a good idea.

One day we, my brother and I, decided to attend a church. We decided on a church in the area. It was a United Church.....something somewhat familiar to me, as that was the church name that my grandparents would sometimes go to. It was Sunday and we entered not knowing at what time things started. We snuck in and found a place at the back. The service was over pretty quickly, we made it at the tail end of service. We were dismissed and were putting on our shoes and out came these little old ladies. An old lady points to us and says, “Ohhh!” “Look at the nice little Indian boys.”

We went home, overly happy for some reason. God was blessing us.

The next thing was I attended the native church that my wife’s relatives were attending, it was held downstairs in a public library. They sang songs, and gave testimonies. That day they sang “The Lily of the Valley” (the full song can be heard here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v4Emivg4w ) ...and for some reason I thought about my mom, and I started crying. After service...my wife and I got invited out to supper. We accepted. It was an interesting time. You could feel the Holy presence of God. Greg invited me to his room, and we had a discussion. All that time he thought I was a believer. I was just sitting there, and suddenly, I understood who Jesus was and what He did....joy flooded my soul and I seen these two (evil) faces laughing and disappearing into the distance. I had joy, joy down in my heart. I was born again, Jesus was my Savior!

There was an evening service, and I sang like I never sang before, heaven was rejoicing for a sinner!

That was in February, 1982.

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"I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.” Isaiah 45:2

All those burdens, all the sin I felt, the judgement I knew that was coming....was now replaced with assurance. Nothing could break through the burdens that I carried, I needed a Saviour. I was chained and imprisoned at the same time.

But I was free, and my life was given order. Once you taste God’s love, nothing will ever compare. My rough places were made smooth and the prison door and bars that were of bronze and iron were shattered. Sin was gone; I accepted what Jesus did for me. He took my sins away, and set me free!

I was walking on a cloud of joy, love and peace...I had a new hunger for doing right.

When Jesus began His ministry it is written in the bible, “He stood up in the synagogue and read....The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed.....”

I was that captive, I was in prison, I was poor, I was oppressed...His grace and mercy reached out to me!

Thank-you Jesus!

********************

I was going to University at the time and had purchased this small broom of sweet-grass. Since I was now a believer, I wanted to be the best that I could be. I wanted to be as spiritual as possible, so I attached it to my jacket. But strange things started happening.

First I was invited to a prayer meeting. I was positioning myself in a chair, when I tipped over. Next, I was heading home from classes and about a block from my place, there was this dog that I befriended, and I’d often would go by and pet him. On this particular day, as usual I went up to him and started petting him, but he was intent on getting at this broom of sweet-grass on my jacket. He was pulling at it, I thought that was strange, at this time oppression was sitting heavily on me. After feeling joy and then being oppressed. It makes you wonder what’s happening. I went home, and decided to light the sweet-grass up and burn some in the kitchen. I noticed to the side that my daughter was running around a chair and screaming. I sensed something was wrong. The oppression was getting heavier. I was feeling pretty oppressed at this time and it just seemed to be getting worse, I just couldn’t shake it. I decided to phone the pastor of the Church, Norm Taylor (more on Him later). He came over and I told him what was happening and my problem. Well immediately he told me that I needed to get rid of that sweet-grass, and he proceeded to pray with me after I got rid of it. The peace of God returned to me and my house. (“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” ~ Joshua 24:15)

I had to see that Jesus and what he did is a finished work. I was wrong to add to his sacrifice. God accepted me because of what Jesus did for me. He (God) has been faithful to me all my life. Thank you God for your mercy and grace….as He would say, His Love.

I was so happy but that posed a problem and a great question. I was a native and how does this fit with me: This whole bible; Christianity and its ways?

A little time went by, and this was just a question inside of me. I was reading the word, and I came across the story of Peter and how he encountered some Romans. The Romans were considered to be Gentiles and Jewish people did not associate with them much less interact with these unbelievers. This is the way it is written......

Cornelius Calls for Peter

Acts 10:1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. Peter’s Vision 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. Peter at Cornelius’s House The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” 27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?” 30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right......

I was settled once again, God had answered my questions that were important to me. He answered my heart’s cry....God was a God to all; this was a God for me! I was relieved and the peace and joy of God returned to me.



Today’s Vice

There are many Christians, but few will step forward. They know the score, that to be a Christian, is to be a person who is not liked. Natives for the most part hold Christians responsible for their life and circumstance: Even though Christianity is composed of different beliefs and different ways of doing things.

It takes lot to stand up for your faith, and to be excluded and shunned which is part of the territory. But God is with you in a mighty way.

I remember a story from the bible….in the story there are some lepers who are living outside of the community. The Israelites were living in a fortified town, and an enemy was camped around them ready to attack them. The people were trapped and a famine was happening.

The king in this story called all that happened and was happening as something evil. And that God was behind everything. We forget so quickly that we have an enemy of our souls (the devil). Salvation was coming, but the King would not partake or eat of the spoils.

The lepers decided to go check out the circumstance; they were going to give up to the enemy. “Why do we sit here and die?” They went to the camp. And to their amazement, the enemy had left, God had defended the people and was giving them food, He was miraculously answering (we serve a miracle working God)….in the end God used the outcast to bring the good news. (see: 2kings chapters 6 and 7)

We need the lepers to come out, to step up, God will heal you. Step out from hiding, God will bless you greatly. It’s not wrong to come to God Almighty, to find hope and freedom. Every man/women needs it. You are carrying greatness in you, Come forth! In Jesus Name….Open the eyes to see, take the veils off their eyes….I give you glory Jesus! Thank-you Holy God!

Don’t worry or be afraid…God loves you; He proved it by giving us His only Son. God is certainly for us!